Clearing the way to treatment
Sarah Cleary, Stanton's bridge to communication

Tracy Kovalench
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jul 24/98) - Nezo (neh-zo), nezu (neh-zoo), nezi (neh-zee)-- Sarah Cleary can tell you it's all good in North Slavey, Dogrib, South Slavey and Chipewayan.

The daughter of a NWT transportation worker in Deline, Cleary's multilingual knowledge arises from a childhood spent in the care of her adopted grandmother, an elder who lived next door.

The elders pretty well understand the languages of all NWT First Nations, says Cleary, who moved to Yellowknife two years ago. "The only differences in aboriginal languages is the tone and the accent," she adds.

Part of a 17-member interpretation team, Cleary is on a 24-hour call rotation schedule. One of two full-time Dene interpreters, Cleary is also acting as languages co-ordinator for part of the summer.

An extension of Stanton Regional Hospital's languages and cultural services department, the interpreters play an important role when aboriginal people travel to the hospital for treatment.

"When they hear their language, it lifts their spirits," says Cleary, who accompanies patients from hospital admittance to post-operative care.

The presence of an interpreter comforts people in a foreign environment, she says. "They're not afraid to speak up and say what's wrong with them."

A messenger between doctor and patient, Cleary is a bridge of understanding between the hospital's medical staff and their patients. She helps doctors correctly diagnose patients and explains the doctor's findings to the patients.

Sometimes words such as "diabetes" require a longer explanation. Her solution: Just as vehicles require gas and oil to run, our bodies need sugar, says Cleary.

Quite frequently, she finds her interpreter skills branching into storytelling, with the use of equivalents and extended definitions.

A craftswoman as well, Cleary sews traditional dolls, slippers and moccasins. When she is not working, she volunteers her spare time at the hospital cooking and visiting with the elders.

"The elders appreciate my services," says Cleary, "I want to go that extra mile to help."

Cleary has also used her linguistic skills to return to Deline. There, she has visited elders in the community to clarify terms used in the hospitals soon-to-be released interpreters handbooks.